So Apple has received a design patent for something that looks vaguely like a tablet PC. The patent itself is vague enough, but the pictures of the device are interesting. Where’s the keyboard?

I wouldn’t put it past Apple to find a novel way of designing, programming, and marketing a tablet PC with no built-in keyboard. I can’t really think of how a design like that would fly with consumers (where would I type my passwords?), but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

I remember that when Apple announced the iPod Mini, a lot of people had a hard time seeing why anyone would buy an iPod with 30% capacity for only $50 less. But Apple tapped into a booming market, sales skyrocketed, and now my sister wants one for her birthday.

So; whither the keyboardless tablet Mac?